Having fun for the autism cause
About five years ago, Paula Enzerra realized that her son’s Trinity School District autism support room did not have the same technology as other classrooms.
So she started fundraising to help pay for that technology. That turned into an annual Thomas Enzerra Autism Project dodgeball tournament that has raised money to help schools and parents who have children with autism.
Enzerra, of North Franklin Township, said she does not just donate money, but also uses her personal experience to help parents figure out how different parts of the community can support their child. She said her 11-year-old son has more severe issues on the autism spectrum.
The project’s mission is to promote the instructional, behavioral and communication needs of autistic children using a community approach by targeting specific children with needed resources and programs, she said.
Enzerra said the fundraising has helped Bethlehem-Center, Trinity and Washington school districts with their sensory rooms. She also has purchased weighted blankets and iPads to help nonverbal students communicate
This year’s tournament will be held at Trinity High School April 1. It will have a “Be a Superhero” theme. There is a $10 entry fee per player. Players can switch teams throughout the day. There also will be a Chinese auction and a cookie-eating contest at the tournament.
“We have a lot of fun doing it. It’s amazing to watch the tournament. It’s inclusive play,” said Enzerra, adding that they have people in wheelchairs and autistic kids playing dodgeball. “We accommodate anyone with a disability.”
Dodgeball levels the playing field, she said. “Anybody can get lucky, and you’re out,” she said.
Morgan Williams, assistant chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, said the tournament has been great because the commission has the chance to give out information about the services it provides. She estimated that representatives talked to 200 to 300 people last year.
The commission also fields a team.
“It took a lot of help from the high school students there, but we went pretty far in the tournament,” she said, laughing about the fun they had. “We are looking forward to doing it again this year. It’s a nice family event. Everyone had a good time.”
Greg Glaze, an Eighty Four resident who has been a tournament referee for the past three years, said some players are there just for fun, while others are a little more competitive. It draws a wide range of people, including high school baseball teams, he said.
“We have a ball,” he said. “It’s a good time. It gets people out. It gets people active.”
Enzerra said she is happy to pick up donations for the Chinese auction, and that sponsors can pay $100 to get their name on the T-shirt that each player receives. She can be contacted at 724-712-5452 or mpenz@pa.net.